Karnataka MBBS Admission 2026
Karnataka NEET UG 2026 Round 3 Counselling: Eligibility and Caution Deposit
Introduction:
Can you enter Karnataka MBBS Round 3 if you received a seat earlier, and how much must you deposit before choosing options? The answer depends on your previous allotment and the type of seat you want to consider. A deposit for ‘G’ medical options does not open every medical seat category. Equally, an earlier allotment does not give every candidate the same right to participate again.
The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) issued its third-round medical and dental allotment notice on 23 September 2026. This guide explains the notice’s participation rules, medical caution deposit amounts and option-entry window so you can check your position before making a payment or adding a college.
Quick answer
For Karnataka NEET UG 2026 Round 3, KEA permits specified unallotted candidates, candidates who cancelled a medical or dental seat after paying the applicable penalty, and candidates who reported to a college and seek upgradation. Medical caution deposits are ₹1 lakh, ₹12 lakh or ₹25 lakh, depending on the seat options sought. Check the official KEA Round 3 notice against your own allotment status before paying.
Key takeaways
- Round 3 may include seats left after Round 2 and seats subsequently cancelled, forfeited or added to the seat matrix.
- A candidate allotted a medical or dental seat in Round 1 or 2 who failed to exercise a choice is ineligible under this notice.
- A candidate who selected Choice 4 after a Round 1 or 2 medical or dental allotment is also ineligible.
- The medical deposit determines which seat-option categories KEA permits you to enter. It is not the total course fee.
- Keep checking KEA for matrix changes and instructions issued after the 23 September notice.
KEA MBBS Round 3 eligibility 2026: Check your earlier-round status
KEA’s notice lists three groups that may participate in the third round:
- Candidates who were not allotted a medical seat in the first and second rounds.
- Candidates who cancelled a medical or dental seat by paying the penalty.
- Candidates who reported to a medical or dental college and seek upgradation, as described in the notice following recent High Court orders.
The distinction between an allotted seat and a reported-to seat matters. Do not assume that simply receiving an earlier allotment either guarantees or prevents Round 3 entry. Compare your KEA account status, the choice you exercised, any cancellation and your reporting record with the notice. If your record does not clearly fit a listed group, seek clarification from KEA before paying a substantial deposit.
Who cannot participate under the 23 September notice?
KEA expressly excludes candidates who were allotted a medical or dental seat in Round 1 or 2 but failed to exercise a choice. It also excludes candidates allotted such a seat who selected Choice 4. An earlier allotment followed by no action should therefore not be treated as equivalent to being unallotted.
Round 3 is part of authorised counselling. NEET UG qualification remains necessary for lawful MBBS admission, including private, management and NRI categories. NTA conducts NEET UG; KEA conducts the Karnataka state allotment covered here. Seats are allotted under the applicable counselling rules, not through a private promise of direct admission.
Karnataka MBBS Round 3 caution deposit: Which amount applies?
KEA specifies separate medical caution deposit levels for candidates interested in different seat options. The letters below are KEA’s option labels in this notice; read the live option-entry screen and seat matrix before interpreting a particular college code.
Karnataka Round 3 Medical Caution Deposit
| Medical seats sought | Caution deposit | Options KEA permits |
|---|---|---|
| ‘G’ seats | ₹1,00,000 | Only medical ‘G’ options; dental ‘G’, ‘P’, ‘N’ and ‘Q’ options are also permitted |
| ‘P’ seats | ₹12,00,000 | Medical ‘G’ and ‘P’ options, plus ‘P’ seats in private universities |
| ‘N’ or ‘Q’ seats | ₹25,00,000 | All types of medical seat options |
For candidates interested in dental seats, the same KEA table separately states a ₹1,00,000 dental caution deposit and access to all types of dental seat options. Do not apply the dental figure to a medical ‘P’, ‘N’ or ‘Q’ choice. These are official 2026 Round 3 deposit figures, not estimates of tuition or a quoted MBBS package.
The deposit is a participation requirement linked to the options you can enter. KEA says candidates allotted seats under the ₹12 lakh and ₹25 lakh medical tiers must pay the balance fee after results. Before choosing a higher tier, compare the full payable amount for every seat code you may enter. Make payments only through official channels and obtain valid receipts; a counselling deposit is not an unofficial payment to secure a seat.
Karnataka MBBS Round 3 Counselling 2026: Important Dates
KEA has announced separate windows for paying the caution deposit and entering choices. Paying the deposit does not complete choice filling; eligible candidates must also submit their options within the option-entry window.
Karnataka NEET UG 2026 Round 3 Important Dates
| Activity | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Caution deposit payment | 24 September 2026 | 28 September 2026 |
| Choice filling / option entry | 25 September 2026 at 11:00 a.m. | 29 September 2026 at 11:00 a.m. |
If Bangalore colleges are your priority, use this guide to compare MBBS colleges in Bangalore by fee and admission category while building a shortlist. Then confirm each college, quota code, fee and live vacancy against KEA’s current records. The college comparison helps with your shortlist; the KEA notice controls Round 3 participation.
KEA MBBS seats vacant after Round 2: 2026
The attached “UGNEET 2026 Vacant Seat After 2nd Round” list shows 459 vacant seats across 23 colleges. Every row in this PDF carries the course-code suffix MQ and the category OTH. The fees below are the course fees printed in the list; confirm the applicable amount and payment instructions on KEA’s current portal before acting.
Karnataka MBBS Management Quota Vacant Seats After Round 2
The KEA vacancy list shows 459 seats across the following MQ course codes. Listed fees and vacancies are from that published snapshot.
| College | KEA course code | Vacant seats | Listed course fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Khaja Bande Navaz Institute of Medical Sciences, Gulbarga | M005MQ | 12 | ₹32,15,000 |
| MVJ Medical College, Bangalore | M008MQ | 34 | ₹40,11,950 |
| Sri Basaveshwara Medical College, Chitradurga | M020MQ | 10 | ₹34,65,000 |
| Adichunchanagiri Institute of Medical Sciences, Mandya | M023MQ | 26 | ₹35,15,000 |
| S. Nijalingappa Medical College, Bagalkot | M035MQ | 23 | ₹33,61,950 |
| Mahadevappa Rampure Medical College, Kalaburagi | M042MQ | 16 | ₹39,11,950 |
| JJM Medical College, Davangere | M061MQ | 23 | ₹39,11,950 |
| Shymanuru Shivashankarappa Institute of Medical Sciences, Davangere | M062MQ | 42 | ₹36,11,950 |
| Sapthagiri Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangalore | M064MQ | 10 | ₹45,00,000 |
| Srinivasa Institute of Medical Research Center, Mangalore | M065MQ | 22 | ₹29,75,000 |
| BGS Global Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangalore | M068MQ | 2 | ₹42,11,950 |
| Shridevi Institute of Medical Sciences, Tumkur | M069MQ | 14 | ₹33,41,950 |
| The Oxford Medical College, Bangalore | M071MQ | 32 | ₹34,11,950 |
| Akash Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangalore | M078MQ | 3 | ₹36,11,950 |
| Kanachur Institute of Medical Sciences, Mangalore | M079MQ | 12 | ₹28,61,950 |
| East Point College of Medical Sciences, Bangalore | M081MQ | 31 | ₹37,11,950 |
| Dr. Chandramma Dayananda Sagar Institute of Medical Education, Kanakapura Road | M083MQ | 16 | ₹40,15,000 |
| G R Medical College, Mangalore | M088MQ | 12 | ₹27,11,950 |
| Sri Chamundeshwari Medical College, Ramanagara | M091MQ | 19 | ₹31,01,950 |
| PES University Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangalore | M094MQ | 28 | ₹39,15,000 |
| BGS Medical College and Hospital, Bangalore | M095MQ | 20 | ₹35,15,000 |
| S R Patil Medical College, Bagalkot | M096MQ | 19 | ₹35,11,950 |
| Farokh Academy of Medical Education, Mysore | M097MQ | 33 | ₹33,11,950 |
| Total | 459 |
Vacancies can change through cancellations, forfeitures and seat-matrix updates. Confirm the current seat count, course code and fee on the KEA portal before submitting options. A vacant seat does not guarantee allotment.
A practical checklist before you pay
- Confirm participation. Note whether you were unallotted, cancelled after paying a penalty, or reported and are seeking upgradation. Check whether the no-choice or Choice 4 exclusion applies to you.
- Choose seat types you can fund. Decide whether you genuinely want only ‘G’, ‘G’ and ‘P’, or the wider medical option set. Match that decision to KEA’s deposit table.
- Check the full cost. Review the official fee for every option under consideration, including any balance payable after allotment. A ₹25 lakh deposit alone does not settle the fee.
- Review each option code. Confirm the college, course, category and order of preference on the KEA screen. Enter only options you would seriously consider accepting.
- Save your records. Keep your payment acknowledgement and a copy of your submitted options. Read KEA’s later instructions on allotment, reporting and deposit treatment.
Expert counsellor’s insight
The useful question is not simply, “Can I afford the deposit?” It is, “Can I accept and pay for a seat under every option I enter?” A family considering a Bangalore private-college option should calculate the official fee obligation and reporting readiness before placing that code high on its list.
Candidates seeking upgradation should also check how their already-held seat is treated under the applicable KEA instructions. When your portal status or the financial consequence is unclear, resolve it with KEA before the deadline.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using an old deposit figure. Earlier-session or college-specific stray vacancy articles do not replace KEA’s ₹1 lakh, ₹12 lakh and ₹25 lakh medical tiers for this 2026 notice.
- Assuming every unjoined candidate is eligible. KEA expressly excludes specified candidates who failed to exercise a choice or selected Choice 4.
- Paying for ‘G’ access and expecting ‘P’, ‘N’ or ‘Q’ medical options. The notice ties medical option access to the amount paid.
- Treating the deposit as the complete fee. An allotted candidate may need to pay a balance after results.
- Relying on a forwarded vacancy screenshot. KEA may add seats cancelled or forfeited after an earlier list was published.
What students should do next
Open the official Round 3 notice and compare its eligibility clauses with your KEA login history. Check the latest matrix and choose only categories and colleges that fit your eligibility and total budget.
Make the required deposit through the official KEA process within the notified window, review your option order and retain the acknowledgement. Continue checking KEA for result, fee-payment and reporting instructions. Do not assume dates or refund conditions from an older counselling round.
Official sources
- KEA: Third-round online seat allotment to UG medical and dental courses, 2026 — eligibility, exclusions, caution deposits and option entry.
- KEA official portal — later notices, the current seat matrix and candidate-specific instructions.
FAQs
Can I enter Round 3 if I received no medical seat in the first two rounds?
KEA’s 23 September 2026 notice includes candidates who were not allotted a medical seat in either the first or second round. You must still satisfy the applicable KEA and NEET UG requirements and complete the Round 3 steps. Check your account for any separate status or instruction affecting your candidature.
Can I participate after cancelling an earlier medical or dental allotment?
The notice includes candidates who cancelled a medical or dental seat by paying the penalty. Confirm that KEA has recorded both the cancellation and applicable payment before treating yourself as eligible. A candidate who simply failed to exercise a choice falls under a separate exclusion in this notice.
Can a candidate who has reported to a college seek upgradation?
Yes. The notice lists candidates who reported to medical or dental colleges as able to participate for upgradation, referring to recent High Court orders. Your earlier-round choice, reporting status and KEA account instructions still matter. Check those details before entering options or assuming what will happen to the seat you currently hold.
Does a ₹1 lakh medical deposit let me choose private ‘P’ seats?
No. Under the KEA table, the ₹1 lakh medical ‘G’ tier permits only medical ‘G’ options. The ₹12 lakh tier permits medical ‘G’ and ‘P’ options and ‘P’ seats in private universities. The ₹25 lakh tier permits all types of medical seat options. Confirm the code displayed for each specific seat.
Is the ₹25 lakh caution deposit the total management or NRI seat fee?
No. It is the Round 3 caution deposit for accessing the notice’s ‘N’ or ‘Q’ medical seat-option tier and other medical options. KEA states that an allotted candidate must pay the balance fee after results. Verify the official fee applicable to each college and seat category before entering an option.
When does KEA Round 3 option entry close?
The 23 September 2026 notice specifies option entry until 11:00 a.m. on 29 September 2026, beginning at 11:00 a.m. on 25 September. The caution-deposit period is listed as 24–28 September. Check the KEA portal for any later amendment and complete both steps ahead of their respective deadlines.
Conclusion
For Karnataka NEET UG 2026 Round 3 counselling, eligibility and caution deposit must be checked together: your earlier-round record determines whether you may participate, while your deposit tier determines the medical seat options you may enter. Read the current KEA notice and matrix, confirm the full fees behind your choices, and seek personalised guidance if your allotment history or shortlist needs a closer review.
Need personalised MBBS admission guidance?
Speak with Guidacent Consulting Services Pvt. Ltd. for assistance with NEET score analysis, college shortlisting, counselling strategy, fee comparison and document verification.
Visit Guidacent Consulting ServicesAdmission remains subject to NEET UG eligibility, official counselling, seat availability and applicable rules. Guidance does not guarantee allotment.